The new ANSI/API Specification 5L 45th Edition, “Specification for Line Pipe,” was released 12/2012 and is now available from Document Center Inc. This Standard specifies requirements for the manufacture of two product specification levels (PSL 1 and PSL 2) of seamless and welded steel pipes for use in pipeline transportation systems in the petroleum and natural gas industries.
This new revision was generated in order to strengthen requirements to ensure quality, reduce potential for non-conforming pipe and provide improved tools for communication between manufacturer and purchaser.
A summary of some of the key requirements are:
– Enhanced requirements for selection and qualification raw material suppliers (plate and coil),
– Increased frequency for tests of mechanical properties,
– An allowance for digital radiography in lieu of film,
– Identification and validation of critical variables throughout all manufacturing processes (steel melting, plate/coil rolling, pipe forming, etc.) to assure suitable mechanical properties, and
– Additional re-test requirements in case of tensile test failure.
Most of the changes to the 45th Edition of API Specification 5L were made to incorporate the requirements from the previously published Errata/Addenda into the main specification.
In addition, changes were made to Section 11.4, Marking of pipe to multiple grades.
API Standards can be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our webstore, www.document-center.com. Or you may prefer to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We are here to assist you not only with your standards purchases, but also with those questions you’ll have from time to time about the documentation you use.